Visitability And You
The Ultimate In Hospitality
By Jan Morgavan
Decatur, GA (August 30, 2006 ) - I don't know about you but I really enjoy having dinner with my friends. These days were are all so busy that we don't get together very often but there is just something about the combination of fine food, table talk, and the company of friends. It is at the top of my list of social activities.
So, let's add to this picture that I have painted the fact that all of my friends are welcome to my home that is accessible, even those who may happen to use a wheelchair. What a great idea!
And if any of this is making any sense to you, then you are beginning to understand Visitability.
I had an opportunity recently to visit with Eleanor Smith in Decatur, Georgia. She is the creator of the concept of Visitability and though it seems has used every ounce of her energy to tell the world about it.
Eleanor is Founder and Director of Concrete Change, a non-profit organization devoted to Visitability. The Concrete Change web site is www.concretechange.org.
Concrete Change is a project of the Statewide Independent Living Council of Georgia.
Let's continue with our exploration of the concept of Visitability... after all, what is Visitability?
Referring to the Concrete Change web site, you will find a definition of Visitability at this link www.concretechange.org/Definition_of_Visitability.htm.
Quoting from the Concrete Change web site:
"Visitability is a movement to change home construction practices so that virtually all new homes--whether or not designated for residents who currently have disabilities--offer a few specific features that make the home easier for people who develop a mobility impairment to live in and visit."
The must have features of Visitability are:
- Wide passage doors
- At least a half bath/powder room on the main floor
- At least one zero-step entrance
The focus of Visitability is residential homes.
Concrete Change works with consumers, builders, municipalities, state and federal agencies not just in theory but in practice. There are also the unpaid advocates that are simply driven by the common goal of Concrete Change and the Visitability movement. The advocates have by far brought about most of the accomplishments.
Although the geographic scope of Visitability is the US, Eleanor has hosted visitors from England, Australia, Korea, and Japan. But most importantly are the fruits of the labor of everyone involved in Concrete Change and that is approximately 20,000 homes have been built in the US with Visitability features.
For more information about Concrete Change and Visitability, go to www.concretechange.org.
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